paizo.com Favorited Posts by Ubercrozpaizo.com Favorited Posts by Ubercroz2022-05-26T20:27:07Z2022-05-26T20:27:07ZRe: Forums/Gamer Life: General Discussion: Magic vs. MartialUbercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2r9x8&page=3?Magic-vs-Martial#1132014-07-21T15:26:12Z2014-07-18T17:10:39Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Anzyr wrote:</div><blockquote><br />
<br />
<p>Casters can cast a spell to become immune to antimagic fields, so... casters are still better in an AMF, •A LOT• better in an AMF in fact now that the Fighter has 0 buffs, while the caster has all of theirs. Also, using UMD isn't a good argument for any class. Druids can already outfight Fighters easily •and• use UMD to cure themselves up. Your strawman is made of straw. </blockquote><p>Not really making a strawman argument here - I was more or less summarizing the argument as I see it.
<p>My point, my only real point, was that if you frame an argument in a certain fashion, then you have already pre-determined the end result.</p>
<p>By defining the argument as it has been, any point put forth to the contrary will be defeated by the construct of the argument itself.</p>
<p>The argument I have seen, is framed thusly:</p>
<p>1 - Casters are better than martials
<br />
Conditions of the argument
<br />
- Using magic items doesn't count for the martials
<br />
- The narrative power a character has can only be derived from class abilities
<br />
- Anything that a caster does is beneficial to the caster argument.
<br />
- A Caster has access to his full bag of tricks, and martials may not be in a situation where their feats work.</p>
<p>Once you have established that these are the conditions, the result has already been determined.</p>
<p>Simply saying "A druid can be a better fighter, and cure himself and...." Is vague and misleading. At what level, under what conditions, at... blah blah blah, that's not my point.</p>
<p>However, thank you very much for making my point. You have shown that, once you have the result, you simply have to back peddle your answer to fit. I'm not in the business of setting up scenarios where in I need to be right - though I could probably establish certain conditions where a bard is a better combatant than a fighter, or a fighter is more knowledgeable than a bard or a wizard. Arguing the vagaries of what classes can do is pretty silly, especially in regards to narrative.</p>
<p>The narrative argument is as follows:</p>
<p>Casters are better at changing narrative.</p>
<p>Conditions of the argument.
<br />
- only spells can be used to change narrative.</p>
<p>Therefore, casters win.</p>Anzyr wrote:Casters can cast a spell to become immune to antimagic fields, so... casters are still better in an AMF, *A LOT* better in an AMF in fact now that the Fighter has 0 buffs, while the caster has all of theirs. Also, using UMD isn't a good argument for any class. Druids can already outfight Fighters easily *and* use UMD to cure themselves up. Your strawman is made of straw.
Not really making a strawman argument here - I was more or less summarizing the argument as I see it. My...Ubercroz2014-07-18T17:10:39ZRe: Forums/Gamer Life: General Discussion: Magic vs. MartialUbercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2r9x8&page=3?Magic-vs-Martial#1102014-07-21T15:24:32Z2014-07-18T16:44:11Z<p>This argument seems funny:</p>
<p>1: "Martials aren't as good as casters because casters can use magic!"</p>
<p>2: "Well, I can do some similar things with mundane means."</p>
<p>1: "That's not magic is it?"</p>
<p>2: "Right, well I could use a magic item. Then I can do the same thing as a caster."</p>
<p>1: "Oh ho! Well you need a caster to make that item, and then you're no better than a caster because you used magic. Actually, if you use a spell or magic at all - then you're hardly even a martial!"</p>
<p>2: "Umm... okay. So if I do something mundane it's not magic, and if I use magic then I'm not a martial character?"</p>
<p>1: •rolls eyes• "Now your just being a jerk."</p>
<p>2: "Wait, what?"</p>
<p>1: "Casters are better."</p>
<p>2: "... I guess if you frame the argument in a way that doesn't allow for another result, then you are correct. Well.... what if we are in an anti-magic sphere?"</p>
<p>1: "No one uses those, shut up."</p>
<p>2: "Fair enough, I concede that martial characters aren't the same as casters. You win."</p>
<p>1: "Victory!"</p>This argument seems funny:
1: "Martials aren't as good as casters because casters can use magic!"
2: "Well, I can do some similar things with mundane means."
1: "That's not magic is it?"
2: "Right, well I could use a magic item. Then I can do the same thing as a caster."
1: "Oh ho! Well you need a caster to make that item, and then you're no better than a caster because you used magic. Actually, if you use a spell or magic at all - then you're hardly even a martial!"
2: "Umm... okay. So...Ubercroz2014-07-18T16:44:11ZRe: Forums: GM Discussion: GM Roundtable: Running a scenario "cold"Ubercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2r9jz?GM-Roundtable-Running-a-scenario-cold#212014-07-15T12:22:47Z2014-07-14T21:56:29Z<p>I've had to run some games cold, and while I think I do a "good" job at it, it's clearly not the same as having fully prepped it.</p>
<p>My advice: Read the summary. Hand out the chronicles at the beginning to have the players put their information on the top part. While they are doing that and filling out the sign in sheet, I quickly skim to the first encounter and get an idea of what I need to do to make it work.</p>
<p>I try and spot something interesting that I can play on to make the NPC engaging right off the bat, and try and convey some useful information to the players.</p>
<p>Once I have read the "Getting Started" part, I have the players introduce themselves. While they are doing that I do a little more fast prep to get the first act ready as best I can.</p>
<p>Once we get going I usually insist on a very quick break after the first 2 hours. This gives me a chance to skim the last part and make brush up on some quick rules, etc., while the players are taking their break. This lets me at least put the final encounter into some kind of order so that it's a decent experience for people.</p>
<p>I improvise as best I can, make things up so that it makes some verisimilitude of sense, and nod and smile a lot at the players.</p>
<p>Additionally, I laugh at everyones jokes, even if they aren't funny. I think that helps a lot.</p>I've had to run some games cold, and while I think I do a "good" job at it, it's clearly not the same as having fully prepped it.
My advice: Read the summary. Hand out the chronicles at the beginning to have the players put their information on the top part. While they are doing that and filling out the sign in sheet, I quickly skim to the first encounter and get an idea of what I need to do to make it work.
I try and spot something interesting that I can play on to make the NPC engaging...Ubercroz2014-07-14T21:56:29ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: What's wrong with the Summoner?Ubercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2r9l2?Whats-wrong-with-the-Summoner#32014-07-20T16:35:51Z2014-07-14T21:27:22Z<p>(1) The eidolon is super easy to min/max to be an amazing combatant.
<br />
(2) the summoner is easy to min-max to be a good support/skill character because it never needs to engage in combat because the eidolon is up front.
<br />
(3) The Summoner gets to cast summoning spells as a standard action - which is pretty crazy good.
<br />
(4) The Summoner get access to some pretty powerful spells earlier than any other class (Haste, Black Tentacles).
<br />
(5) Between the Eidolon and the Summoner they get a lot of Feats and skills, more than most casters and full BAB classes.</p>
<p>It's class that is neat in concept and can be fun to play, but if someone puts in the time they can really make an exceptionally strong and versatile character that outpaces many other classes. I don't mind a Paladin being better than my Fighter, but when a class feature is better than my Fighter I get a little frustrated.</p>(1) The eidolon is super easy to min/max to be an amazing combatant.
(2) the summoner is easy to min-max to be a good support/skill character because it never needs to engage in combat because the eidolon is up front.
(3) The Summoner gets to cast summoning spells as a standard action - which is pretty crazy good.
(4) The Summoner get access to some pretty powerful spells earlier than any other class (Haste, Black Tentacles).
(5) Between the Eidolon and the Summoner they get a lot of Feats...Ubercroz2014-07-14T21:27:22ZRe: Forums: Advice: (DMing) What do you do when you stop caring?Ubercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2r9ap?-What-do-you-do-when-you-stop-caring#152014-07-14T13:01:46Z2014-07-12T21:57:34Z<p>What I have found has worked best for me in a homebrew game is having fewer details.</p>
<p>Have the broad scope. Put some work into their first location and then maybe 2 or 3 other locations, and then draw a map. </p>
<p>Once you have your map leave lots and lots of blank space on it.</p>
<p>Now, let you players make characters. Whatever they make is right. Your players cannot make a mistake there isn't a something that does not exist in your world, find a way to make it work.</p>
<p>By doing this, you empower your players to help build the world. They get to help decide what the world looks like and how it operates.</p>
<p>I will give an example - about two years ago I was just starting a game and explained that to my players. One of them decided that he wanted to be a salesman from Earth, that somehow got magic powers. I turned that concept into a driving plot point in the game - I never intended for that to ever be in the world I was making. However, he wanted it so I made it work. That character has now showed up in about 2 other campaigns because of his impact on the world we - as a group - have created.</p>
<p>If all you do is try to make a world and then have super tightly scripted rules and don't allow the players to take part in its creation, then you would be better off writing a book.</p>
<p>The more open your homebrew is - in my opinion - the better it will be, and the more fun everyone will have getting to make it with you.</p>What I have found has worked best for me in a homebrew game is having fewer details.
Have the broad scope. Put some work into their first location and then maybe 2 or 3 other locations, and then draw a map.
Once you have your map leave lots and lots of blank space on it.
Now, let you players make characters. Whatever they make is right. Your players cannot make a mistake there isn't a something that does not exist in your world, find a way to make it work.
By doing this, you empower your...Ubercroz2014-07-12T21:57:34ZRe: Forums/Gamer Life: General Discussion: "official ruling" Why is it Necessary?Ubercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2r95y?official-ruling-Why-is-it-Necessary#152014-07-11T18:05:58Z2014-07-11T15:04:26Z<p>I try to get all my rulings and rules officially approved.</p>
<p>At some point Jason blocked my e-mail though. I think it was after I sent a "My fighter just rolled a 12 and has a +6 to hit, is that officially good enough to hit an AC 18? Thanks in advance for your time."</p>
<p>To be honest, the game would grind to a halt most night while we waited for an official response, but I think it was worth to really know.</p>I try to get all my rulings and rules officially approved.
At some point Jason blocked my e-mail though. I think it was after I sent a "My fighter just rolled a 12 and has a +6 to hit, is that officially good enough to hit an AC 18? Thanks in advance for your time."
To be honest, the game would grind to a halt most night while we waited for an official response, but I think it was worth to really know.Ubercroz2014-07-11T15:04:26ZRe: Forums: Advice: Helping a fellow DM create a BBEG and lieutenantsUbercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2r92i?Helping-a-fellow-DM-create-a-BBEG-and#32014-07-10T21:01:36Z2014-07-10T20:15:40Z<p>Not entirely related - but I had my players in a campaign fight a clan of hobgoblins. I made several "Hobgoblin Heroes" that they had to fight.</p>
<p>#1 was a spring attacking rogue with a falchion, I remember cheating on the spring attack rules, but it was homebrew so I allowed it. I think I let feint when he wasn't supposed to. I probably made up a reason as to why it was fine.</p>
<p>#2 was a buff heavy cleric with an adamantine mace. He buffed his minions and sundered equipment. He never dealt damage anyone, but had a crazy high AC and lots of HP.</p>
<p>#3 was a wizard who had an earth elemental companion. The wizard wore a Mask of Goz and dropped stinking clouds all over the field. The huge earth elemental was of course unphased and the Mask let the wizard act normally. Lot's of fun.</p>
<p>#4 was an illusionist bard who had several animal companions. He created illusionary fakes of his companions and buffed them all with performance, using debuff or control spells when he had the chance.</p>
<p>The last the Hobgoblin King who had a pet red dragon and wore a crown of blasting. He was a fighter and used a greatsword. I gave him some feats that let him do all kinds of crazy stuff for free actions or swift actions. I would have to pull him out to really remember.</p>
<p>The goal of each of these fights was to make the players reframe how they deal with normal encounters.</p>Not entirely related - but I had my players in a campaign fight a clan of hobgoblins. I made several "Hobgoblin Heroes" that they had to fight.
#1 was a spring attacking rogue with a falchion, I remember cheating on the spring attack rules, but it was homebrew so I allowed it. I think I let feint when he wasn't supposed to. I probably made up a reason as to why it was fine.
#2 was a buff heavy cleric with an adamantine mace. He buffed his minions and sundered equipment. He never dealt...Ubercroz2014-07-10T20:15:40ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Need Ruling on Throwing ShieldsUbercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2r90k?Need-Ruling-on-Throwing-Shields#172014-07-13T03:35:02Z2014-07-10T15:03:35Z<p>The title of this thread really drew my attention.</p>
<p>Saying you NEED[ED] an official ruling from the Mike Brock struck me as completely nutty.</p>
<p>I am not intending to be offensive, though I certainly understand if it is taken that way.</p>
<p>It just seems very presumptuous to demand that someone - who likely has a full day of work lined up, which probably includes a back log of similar requests, Gencon around the corner, scenarios to approve, Venture Officers to communicate with, and I can't imagine what other items in his list of "to-do's" for the day that may never get done - should drop everything and answer a single, fairly simply, GM level type question.</p>
<p>I'm not usually one to chastise people, and I'm not trying to cause any trouble, but maybe not every individual rule problem/player problem needs to be immediately taken to the highest level for resolution.</p>
<p>You don't see the mid-management guy go to the CEO of his company asking what he should do about one of the guys on the mid-managers team. Instead, either the mid-manager handles it (you can do that you are the GM) or he goes to the next rung up (maybe talk with your VC, or other local GM's).</p>
<p>Sorry, the title bothered me, and the entitlement bothered me. Take my comments with a grain of salt.</p>The title of this thread really drew my attention.
Saying you NEED[ED] an official ruling from the Mike Brock struck me as completely nutty.
I am not intending to be offensive, though I certainly understand if it is taken that way.
It just seems very presumptuous to demand that someone - who likely has a full day of work lined up, which probably includes a back log of similar requests, Gencon around the corner, scenarios to approve, Venture Officers to communicate with, and I can't imagine...Ubercroz2014-07-10T15:03:35ZRe: Forums: GM Discussion: Official Ruling on Knowledge Checks Please.Ubercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2q8ik&page=3?Official-Ruling-on-Knowledge-Checks-Please#1252014-07-10T19:34:02Z2014-07-10T05:19:51Z<p>I find a lot of GM's do want to hold back information from the players. They then complain that they never got to do the "cool things" that the monster could do.</p>
<p>This is where I love the knowledge checks as a GM. It allows me to put a certain amount of fear and respect into the minds of the players. I prefer to tell people information, rather than asking questions. Once I have told the players what the beast is capable of, it's almost as good as getting to the thing itself. In a certain respect giving the players more details on a better knowledge check will make the characters respect the monsters capabilities AND it gets rid of the times when the players expectations don't meet their results.</p>
<p>For the most part, frustration from GM's comes when player expectations and results don't match. Once you tell the players what their expectations are, then they are less likely to be mad. Transparency is a fantastic tool to running a high quality game.</p>I find a lot of GM's do want to hold back information from the players. They then complain that they never got to do the "cool things" that the monster could do.
This is where I love the knowledge checks as a GM. It allows me to put a certain amount of fear and respect into the minds of the players. I prefer to tell people information, rather than asking questions. Once I have told the players what the beast is capable of, it's almost as good as getting to the thing itself. In a certain...Ubercroz2014-07-10T05:19:51ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Drawing Two Weapons in a move action?Ubercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2r8ol?Drawing-Two-Weapons-in-a-move-action#282014-07-11T02:15:44Z2014-07-10T02:39:06Z<p>Combat does funny things to people.</p>
<p>If you haven't trained to do it, over and over and over, then I imagine it would be harder than you could imagine to draw two swords within 2 seconds while you are moving.</p>
<p>Talk with a soldier who has been in combat. I know for a fact that the simply act of dropping a magazine and inserting a new one into your weapon while under fire from the enemy is challenging. People screw it up all the time. And that is a much simpler act than drawing a sword while moving.</p>
<p>If you want to get "real" then consider that your adrenaline would be pumping your hands would be shaking, you would focus down to tunnel vision where you wouldn't even be able to see or hear things that were not directly in front of you.</p>
<p>The fact that people have 360 degree vision on the battlefield is far less believable to me than someone having to have been specifically trained to draw two weapons while they are moving towards something that wants to kill them.</p>
<p>Lets not mix reality with our fantasy, okay?</p>Combat does funny things to people.
If you haven't trained to do it, over and over and over, then I imagine it would be harder than you could imagine to draw two swords within 2 seconds while you are moving.
Talk with a soldier who has been in combat. I know for a fact that the simply act of dropping a magazine and inserting a new one into your weapon while under fire from the enemy is challenging. People screw it up all the time. And that is a much simpler act than drawing a sword while...Ubercroz2014-07-10T02:39:06ZRe: Forums: GM Discussion: 4-11 The Disappeared (Spoilers of course)Ubercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2pbbe?411-The-Disappeared#152013-01-02T02:36:24Z2012-12-29T18:49:10Z<p>or clerics</p>or clericsUbercroz2012-12-29T18:49:10ZRe: Forums/Gamer Life: General Discussion: Is murder always evil?Ubercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2p8un?Is-murder-always-evil#62012-12-10T22:04:02Z2012-12-09T23:23:36Z<p>I murdered a bottle of whisky this weekend.</p>
<p>I would say it was evil...</p>I murdered a bottle of whisky this weekend.
I would say it was evil...Ubercroz2012-12-09T23:23:36ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Different Ways to play alignmentsUbercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2p84l&page=2?Different-Ways-to-play-alignments#692012-12-07T04:45:02Z2012-12-06T03:10:05Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">johnlocke90 wrote:</div><blockquote><br />
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<p>That doesn't answer my question though. Yes or no, could you play a nice alstruistic character who obeys a strict code but is Evil(or Chaotic Evil if you cast Protection from Law on yourself too much)? </blockquote><p>No, an evil person would not be altruistic.
<p>An evil person would need a reason to do what they are doing.</p>
<p>Unless there is a good role playing reason (he was an orphan so he makes sure he takes care of orphans selflessly). But you are not going to find a character who is helps his fellow men, smites evil where he finds it, protects the innocent and routes out the guilty who is evil.</p>
<p>If I had a pc who was turning evil based off of spells I would let him know, and then ask him to roleplay the change.</p>johnlocke90 wrote:That doesn't answer my question though. Yes or no, could you play a nice alstruistic character who obeys a strict code but is Evil(or Chaotic Evil if you cast Protection from Law on yourself too much)?
No, an evil person would not be altruistic. An evil person would need a reason to do what they are doing.
Unless there is a good role playing reason (he was an orphan so he makes sure he takes care of orphans selflessly). But you are not going to find a character who is...Ubercroz2012-12-06T03:10:05ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Different Ways to play alignmentsUbercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2p84l&page=2?Different-Ways-to-play-alignments#562012-12-07T04:37:36Z2012-12-05T20:12:07Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Wind Chime wrote:</div><blockquote> Being kind and benevolent (helping other people out without any reward for yourself) doesn't preclude necromancy. Actually being chaotic evil doesn't preclude being kind and benevolent as long as your doing something evil in your spare time to add to your evil tally (murdering undesirables, being a slave master etc). Just as good doesn't have to be nice evil doesn't have to be nasty. </blockquote><p>I suppose it would take some backstory for it to make sense.
<p>An Evil person is a one who pursues evil. He does not value life and pursues his own interests with a disregard for others. That doesn't mean that he is a wild serial killer or will just kill anything in his path. But why does the evil necromancer help out kids?</p>
<p>Does he like the fact that they look at him as a good guy? Does he eliminate anyone who tries to interfere with what, he views as, the best interest of those children? Does he slay adventurers and steal their stuff so that he can fund the orphanages picnic parties? To me, that would be an interesting C/E necromancer.</p>
<p>But being a super sweet natured fella who happens to raise the dead, but does nothing else evil other than casting spells... that doesn't seem like it makes sense. It sounds like you want to ignore alignment and just make a guy who does stuff.</p>
<p>I understand people not liking the alignment system, but I really enjoy it. It puts some thought into how your character reasons morality.</p>Wind Chime wrote:Being kind and benevolent (helping other people out without any reward for yourself) doesn't preclude necromancy. Actually being chaotic evil doesn't preclude being kind and benevolent as long as your doing something evil in your spare time to add to your evil tally (murdering undesirables, being a slave master etc). Just as good doesn't have to be nice evil doesn't have to be nasty.
I suppose it would take some backstory for it to make sense. An Evil person is a one who...Ubercroz2012-12-05T20:12:07ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Different Ways to play alignmentsUbercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2p84l?Different-Ways-to-play-alignments#422012-12-07T04:26:35Z2012-12-05T18:01:01Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Xenh wrote:</div><blockquote><br />
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Alignment causes more masturbatory arguments than nearly anything else in my experience and the whole thing should be abolished. </p>
<p>Not sure how many of us have had to suffer a preachy, over the top, colon holster for a stick paladin that can only be played one way because lawful good and some code requires it.</p>
<p><b>Abolish alignments.</b> </p>
<p>Perhaps you've been in this situation where you verbalize a warped solution to your current situation (using badgers as nunchaku?) and the player to your left, that always seems to eat more of the chips than is acceptable, avows that as being a breach of protocol since you are <insert alignment here>. </p>
<p>Your character will do good things, bad things and other things in middle depending on the perspective of the person observing your act. Life is good as long as you remain consistent with your own picture of your character's core beliefs. </blockquote><p>I really like the alignment system actually. I think it offers an interesting way to roleplay a character, if the character sticks to it.
<p>Additionally, if you have a hot headed, chip-eating cohort at the table who is chastising you for alignment choices fret not! Only you and the GM have to worry about that.</p>
<p>As a GM I have never prevented someone for doing something that I thought was against alignment. I made sure they understood my thoughts on their actions, we discussed it later, and I made sure that there were consequences for their actions. (Turns out dwarven cities frown on their guards getting killed and the party had to sneak out of that place and NOT go back there, ever)</p>
<p>Alignment should just be used as a tool to help you describe your character and the way they think about the world. If you have a clear picture of your characters personality in your head alignment should never be a problem. I think people tend to get upset when they just view their character as an amorphous thing that does stuff they want, but don't roleplay them consistently.</p>
<p>And even if you have a solid image of your character sometimes a character will act outside of their alignment the way normal people do. It happens regularly that kind people murder someone in a fit of rage, that kind of stuff happens to characters as well (not just barbarians!).</p>
<p>Like with most things in life there is this nice sweet spot in the middle of the alignment argument- meaning alignment has value, and there is more than 1 way to play an alignment. But that does not mean that you can play an alignment anyway you want to.</p>Xenh wrote:Alignment causes more masturbatory arguments than nearly anything else in my experience and the whole thing should be abolished. Not sure how many of us have had to suffer a preachy, over the top, colon holster for a stick paladin that can only be played one way because lawful good and some code requires it.
Abolish alignments.
Perhaps you've been in this situation where you verbalize a warped solution to your current situation (using badgers as nunchaku?) and the player to your...Ubercroz2012-12-05T18:01:01ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Different Ways to play alignmentsUbercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2p84l?Different-Ways-to-play-alignments#132012-12-05T06:58:02Z2012-12-05T06:08:16Z<p>I think it is well recognized in lore of all variety that playing with dark magic is a slippery slope.</p>
<p>So while an individual use of an evil spell will not make you evil (like one cigarette does not give you cancer nor one drink makes you an alcoholic) the more you dabble with the dark arts the more likely you are to become evil.</p>
<p>So you can say the ends justify the means... but if they justify them too often you may find yourself to be evil without ever meaning to.</p>
<p>Its even true in this world! I know because I was a financial advisor and too much more of that would have twisted me into an evil monster. Now I'm in law school so I ... oh no.</p>I think it is well recognized in lore of all variety that playing with dark magic is a slippery slope.
So while an individual use of an evil spell will not make you evil (like one cigarette does not give you cancer nor one drink makes you an alcoholic) the more you dabble with the dark arts the more likely you are to become evil.
So you can say the ends justify the means... but if they justify them too often you may find yourself to be evil without ever meaning to.
Its even true in this...Ubercroz2012-12-05T06:08:16ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Different Ways to play alignmentsUbercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2p84l?Different-Ways-to-play-alignments#22012-12-06T05:24:27Z2012-12-05T02:49:40Z<p>In general I think the alignments are really designed to be kind of the broad strokes of your character.</p>
<p>Good/Evil is really a determining of WHAT your character thinks they should do in regards to others. So does your character want to help people, do they want to hurt people or do they just want to be left out of other peoples business.</p>
<p>Lawful/Chaotic is more to determine HOW they plan on doing it. Do they rely on authority to help them, do they believe that law and order just gets in the way. Or do they use the law only whe. It serves their purposes.</p>
<p>I could get into more detail, but that is the basics. </p>
<p>I don't believe you described a C/E person.</p>In general I think the alignments are really designed to be kind of the broad strokes of your character.
Good/Evil is really a determining of WHAT your character thinks they should do in regards to others. So does your character want to help people, do they want to hurt people or do they just want to be left out of other peoples business.
Lawful/Chaotic is more to determine HOW they plan on doing it. Do they rely on authority to help them, do they believe that law and order just gets in the...Ubercroz2012-12-05T02:49:40ZRe: Forums: GM Discussion: What makes an Excellent Society GM?Ubercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2p4b6?What-makes-an-Excellent-Society-GM#382013-01-03T01:49:44Z2012-12-03T05:43:50Z<p>It hasn't really been said here, but good GMing is very closely akin to good improvisation skills.</p>
<p>Meaning when a player asks if they can do something say "yes, and..." Let the players do what they want, then add to that. When say that I don't mean that you say "Yes, and as a result you fall in a pool of acid". Thats not fun, and it is restricts creativity rather than engaging in it.</p>
<p>It makes the game more fun and it lets people feel like they are being rewarded for creative thinking.</p>
<p>Of course, don't take this to mean that you should allow the players to do whatever they want. What it does mean is that they get to do whatever they want within the scope of the rules.</p>
<p>Another general policy I have is that if there is a difference of opinion on a rule in an encounter where I am not certain I am right I typically err on the side of agreeing with the player. Again, take this with a grain of salt. But I find that the game goes much more smoothly if you just check on stuff after the fact. It also helps the player feel more useful, especially if the rule in question is a central element of the character design (power attacking cleric throwing with the magic domain ability for instance).</p>
<p>Just a few thoughts on what helps people be good GM's in general. For PFS specifically, I think the normal GM stuff is good and then making sure you have prepared the scenario. I think we have all had games where we were totally under prepared and just did the best we could... but it shows in the game when you are either scrambling or just making stuff up.</p>It hasn't really been said here, but good GMing is very closely akin to good improvisation skills.
Meaning when a player asks if they can do something say "yes, and..." Let the players do what they want, then add to that. When say that I don't mean that you say "Yes, and as a result you fall in a pool of acid". Thats not fun, and it is restricts creativity rather than engaging in it.
It makes the game more fun and it lets people feel like they are being rewarded for creative thinking.
Of...Ubercroz2012-12-03T05:43:50ZRe: Forums: GM Discussion: #4–05 Sanos Abduction Questions/Complaints [Spoilers]Ubercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2oxvz?4-05-Sanos-Abduction-QuestionsComplaints#432012-12-03T05:14:26Z2012-12-03T04:48:48Z<p>I was actually looking at that earlier (I think I am the guy who said the benefit didn't make sense otherwise). So, that makes sense in regards to allowing a fairy dragon when you would not otherwise get it.</p>
<p>Mistake on my part, whoops.</p>I was actually looking at that earlier (I think I am the guy who said the benefit didn't make sense otherwise). So, that makes sense in regards to allowing a fairy dragon when you would not otherwise get it.
Mistake on my part, whoops.Ubercroz2012-12-03T04:48:48ZRe: Forums: Advice: Combat ClericUbercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2lwp8?Combat-Cleric#182015-10-22T09:01:30Z2012-12-02T05:38:29Z<p>Yeah, I knew this was an old thread, but I wanted to put out there some options for others who may have been considering a cleric.</p>
<p>I was actually looking for some input on a build I was considering, found this thread and figured I would add to it instead of make a new one.</p>Yeah, I knew this was an old thread, but I wanted to put out there some options for others who may have been considering a cleric.
I was actually looking for some input on a build I was considering, found this thread and figured I would add to it instead of make a new one.Ubercroz2012-12-02T05:38:29ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: How do you handle time?Ubercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2p0vb?How-do-you-handle-time#52012-10-12T18:48:39Z2012-10-12T06:49:45Z<p>I track time meticulously. I have a 9 month old campaign now and have made sure that I keep track of how many days each session lasts and make sure the environment matches (cold in the winter, hot in the summer).</p>
<p>long stretches of time are typically dictated by crafting.</p>
<p>Travel time I figure is 24-ish miles a day by foot. that is 8 hours of travel time. That allows for time to stop and eat, 10 hours for rest (which you have to have if there is a caster that will take watch) and for all the other things they would need to do. I actually listed out exactly how long a normal travel day would take, and 8 hours is almost all you have for travel.</p>
<p>So distance becomes a factor as well, but I typically put 3-4 days of travel between towns, that ends up being pretty good.</p>
<p>I am always flexible on training time, I make people take time to level every once in a while, but the game pace does not always allow for that. So I sometimes just let people level on the fly, and then sometimes I will I make things take a week or two for training.</p>I track time meticulously. I have a 9 month old campaign now and have made sure that I keep track of how many days each session lasts and make sure the environment matches (cold in the winter, hot in the summer).
long stretches of time are typically dictated by crafting.
Travel time I figure is 24-ish miles a day by foot. that is 8 hours of travel time. That allows for time to stop and eat, 10 hours for rest (which you have to have if there is a caster that will take watch) and for all the...Ubercroz2012-10-12T06:49:45ZRe: Forums: Advice: Do you know old school tricks for new school Pathfinder?Ubercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2oy16?Do-you-know-old-school-tricks-for-new-school#492012-10-05T02:54:48Z2012-09-29T06:57:24Z<p>Unseen servant. It can drag enough weight to set off traps, I use an unseen servant in almost every PFS scenario I play as my wizard. He Is often dragging around a 75 lb rock with light cast on it. If there is a trap on the ground he will find it, he opens out doors, he opens our chests- if you don't use unseen servant you should- and see if your GM gets a little confused about what to do.</p>Unseen servant. It can drag enough weight to set off traps, I use an unseen servant in almost every PFS scenario I play as my wizard. He Is often dragging around a 75 lb rock with light cast on it. If there is a trap on the ground he will find it, he opens out doors, he opens our chests- if you don't use unseen servant you should- and see if your GM gets a little confused about what to do.Ubercroz2012-09-29T06:57:24ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: What's the purpose of hiding Flavor Text behind knowledge checks?Ubercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2ox4r?Whats-the-purpose-of-hiding-Flavor-Text#242012-09-24T13:10:11Z2012-09-23T17:35:52Z<p>Why do we hide secret doors behind perception checks? </p>
<p>I want my players to be able to find that secret door because that is where the badguy they have been tracking is hiding. If they fail the perception check or don't have it as a skill and are unable to find it due to its difficulty I have just made that badguy impossible to find!</p>
<p>Its still a matter of balancing skills and benefiting the players. If I want the players to know that flavor text I will give it to them eventually.</p>
<p>Sometimes players need to know that they failed a check and not know what they missed- they may find out that info later (or may find that secret door later) but they don't need to know I am making up for their failed roll.</p>
<p>Additionally I think there is some merit to the roll v role player argument.</p>
<p>I believe that most good players will make good choices for their character and will also make good mechanical choices. But you also have the extremes on either end who will refuse to make non-optimal choices (ignoring other good choices for the best choices) so that they have what they believe is the most effective character regardless of the characters personality and reasoning. There are other players who will go out of their way to make a sub-optimal character because they want to roleplay that kind of character. The mechanics to these players is a means to an end, they have an idea and could care less if that character is maximally effective.</p>
<p>None of those are bad, I tend to fall in the middle and occasionally veer to both sides of that continuum. It just depends on what I think would be fun right then.</p>Why do we hide secret doors behind perception checks?
I want my players to be able to find that secret door because that is where the badguy they have been tracking is hiding. If they fail the perception check or don't have it as a skill and are unable to find it due to its difficulty I have just made that badguy impossible to find!
Its still a matter of balancing skills and benefiting the players. If I want the players to know that flavor text I will give it to them eventually.
Sometimes...Ubercroz2012-09-23T17:35:52ZRe: Forums: Advice: Feat for a support/melee clericUbercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2oubp&page=2?Feat-for-a-supportmelee-cleric#552012-09-13T15:51:58Z2012-09-12T18:08:13Z<p>I don't understand what you want your character to do. </p>
<p>I really think that clerics need to pick 2 things they want to do and stick with it.</p>
<p>Do you want to cast? Be mobile? Support? Melee? Channel focus? </p>
<p>You just seem to be spreading yourself thin. If you want to melee (the reason you would most likely get toughness). Then don't plan on channels and combat casting, stick with a melee focus- you just don't have enough feats. </p>
<p>It sounds like you want to be a mobile support station. So toughness is not that valuable. At that point combat casting makes more sense. Actually dodge would not be bad either so you could get mobility later- then you can leave combat with less fear of AoO's.</p>
<p>I mean toughness, weapon finesse, combat castjng, More channel, sounds like a character who will eventually not be very good at anything- too low powered to melee, not built to cast.</p>I don't understand what you want your character to do.
I really think that clerics need to pick 2 things they want to do and stick with it.
Do you want to cast? Be mobile? Support? Melee? Channel focus?
You just seem to be spreading yourself thin. If you want to melee (the reason you would most likely get toughness). Then don't plan on channels and combat casting, stick with a melee focus- you just don't have enough feats.
It sounds like you want to be a mobile support station. So...Ubercroz2012-09-12T18:08:13ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: The Real Problems In PathfinderUbercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2oo1k&page=2?The-Real-Problems-In-Pathfinder#552012-08-16T17:36:16Z2012-08-16T05:21:18Z<p>I think this thread is asking the wrong question- essentially you are saying that for the game to be better it needs to have a couple of things.</p>
<p>1- defense should meet or beat offense as you level.
<br />
2- the classes should be more even.</p>
<p>1- I think this is a legitimate complaint, to an extent. It does seem strange that you, to a certain extent, can't avoid being hit... but you can make characters with near impossible to overcome AC's as well. I suppose I would need to think about this a little bit more. I recognize that things do increasing levels of damage as you progress in levels... but a properly balanced fight deals with that somehow. There is also the fact that combat takes longer in this game due to all the moving pieces. in 2nd ed your defense couldn't keep up either, the BEST you could was -10 AC and that was not that difficult to overcome by 7th or 8th level.</p>
<p>2- I guess I don't know what this means exactly. I like the game breaking spells. I like that a wizard gets super powerful with his 9th level spells (at 17th level). yes gate is bad ass- but thats the extreme, and a fighter is pretty bad ass himself at 17th level, massive AC, moving at the speed of light due to heavy armor and armor training, massive damage to anything he comes in contact with. So if the issue is that wizards are bad ass, then okay- you win. If the issue is that spellcasters are so good that no one will play anything else.... well that is clearly not true. Every class fills a niche, and can be very fun to play. So what is more important that the classes are equal or that they are divergent. I think 4th ed is a good example of why the classes need to be unique. I will not say 4th ed is a bad game, I just prefer pathfinder. The classes are so different and all have a style and flair of their own, not just in fluff but in mechanics. </p>
<p>I suppose that any system developed has flaws, there is no perfect system and their probably (outside of the realm of theory) cannot be a perfect game. With that in mind Pathfinder has managed to eliminate the majority of the bad their system has. It is simply a matter of what compromises you are willing to make.</p>I think this thread is asking the wrong question- essentially you are saying that for the game to be better it needs to have a couple of things.
1- defense should meet or beat offense as you level.
2- the classes should be more even.
1- I think this is a legitimate complaint, to an extent. It does seem strange that you, to a certain extent, can't avoid being hit... but you can make characters with near impossible to overcome AC's as well. I suppose I would need to think about this a little...Ubercroz2012-08-16T05:21:18ZRe: Forums: Advice: Class power rankUbercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2obzw?Class-power-rank#322012-06-29T03:07:24Z2012-06-29T01:00:31Z<p>The best class is Upper middle class. They have the best wealth to obligation ratio. If you are Upper-Upper class then you have certain expectations to go along with it. Clearly lower and middle class are substandard to being in the upper class. I know that Carl Marx might disagree, but there is a sweet spot where you are wealthy but limited responsibility in regards to social change.</p>The best class is Upper middle class. They have the best wealth to obligation ratio. If you are Upper-Upper class then you have certain expectations to go along with it. Clearly lower and middle class are substandard to being in the upper class. I know that Carl Marx might disagree, but there is a sweet spot where you are wealthy but limited responsibility in regards to social change.Ubercroz2012-06-29T01:00:31ZRe: Forums: Advice: Class power rankUbercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2obzw?Class-power-rank#172012-06-29T03:45:16Z2012-06-22T15:59:24Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">blackbloodtroll wrote:</div><blockquote><p> No, trying to create a tier list of classes does not work.
</p>
Every game is different, every class is different, every archetype is different, every group compilation is different.</p>
<p>This thread will devolve into a flame war of heated opinions and no list will be correct. This will be a bloody crusade in futility. </p>
<p>May God have mercy upon our souls. </blockquote><p>Strongest is bard, they can both sing AND dance.
<p>Weakest is wizard, while he can sing and dance they are not class skills. </p>
<p>Most medium strength is cavalier- he has the shiniest armor, and the most beautiful mount but has trouble dancing while riding.</p>
<p>Most preferred class is rogue, because they can sing and dance and do it in such a fashion as to be hidden.</p>
<p>I think this is a fair assessment of class strength.</p>blackbloodtroll wrote:No, trying to create a tier list of classes does not work.
Every game is different, every class is different, every archetype is different, every group compilation is different.This thread will devolve into a flame war of heated opinions and no list will be correct. This will be a bloody crusade in futility.
May God have mercy upon our souls.
Strongest is bard, they can both sing AND dance. Weakest is wizard, while he can sing and dance they are not class skills.
...Ubercroz2012-06-22T15:59:24ZRe: Forums/Gamer Life: General Discussion: Charisma vs. RoleplayUbercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2obuc?Charisma-vs-Roleplay#112012-06-21T20:05:19Z2012-06-21T17:15:18Z<p>"good role playing" should mean that players whose characters have low diplomacy and poor charisma don't make eloquent speeches. Though how does a player who is bad at public speaking role play a character with an extensive background and talent in public speaking?</p>
<p>I think we should use them same method we roleplay the fighter using a longsword. We roll dice and interpret the results in game terms.</p>"good role playing" should mean that players whose characters have low diplomacy and poor charisma don't make eloquent speeches. Though how does a player who is bad at public speaking role play a character with an extensive background and talent in public speaking?
I think we should use them same method we roleplay the fighter using a longsword. We roll dice and interpret the results in game terms.Ubercroz2012-06-21T17:15:18ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Divine Bard?Ubercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2obtb?Divine-Bard#112014-02-06T23:54:51Z2012-06-21T15:22:20Z<p>I misread the title and thought it said "Divine Beard", and I was thinking - that sounds real good</p>I misread the title and thought it said "Divine Beard", and I was thinking - that sounds real goodUbercroz2012-06-21T15:22:20ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Can a Paladin use BluffUbercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2oahc&page=7?Can-a-Paladin-use-Bluff#3262012-06-21T19:57:56Z2012-06-21T13:57:01Z<p>I think paladins should start the game with their powers already lost, it would save time.</p>I think paladins should start the game with their powers already lost, it would save time.Ubercroz2012-06-21T13:57:01ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Can a Paladin use BluffUbercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2oahc&page=7?Can-a-Paladin-use-Bluff#3122012-06-21T12:57:14Z2012-06-21T04:40:40Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Steelfiredragon wrote:</div><blockquote><p> after 10 years of searching, you find the murderer of your best friend and find that he is the sole supporter of a orphan girl, dost thou:
</p>
a: SLay him in the name justice
<br />
b:show compassion for the sake of the girl</p>
<p>dry wit is a waste anywhere if the intent is not understood... </blockquote><p>hmmm.... well I think compassion gave a bonus to dex and int...
<p>whew, thats rough.... what is an avatar to do?</p>Steelfiredragon wrote:after 10 years of searching, you find the murderer of your best friend and find that he is the sole supporter of a orphan girl, dost thou:
a: SLay him in the name justice
b:show compassion for the sake of the girldry wit is a waste anywhere if the intent is not understood...
hmmm.... well I think compassion gave a bonus to dex and int... whew, thats rough.... what is an avatar to do?Ubercroz2012-06-21T04:40:40ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Can a Paladin use BluffUbercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2oahc&page=6?Can-a-Paladin-use-Bluff#2922012-06-20T20:46:53Z2012-06-20T20:31:48Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">James Jacobs wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Ubercroz wrote:</div><blockquote> If a paladin uses bluff does he lose his class features? </blockquote><p>No more so than if he uses his sword to stab something and kill it.
<p>AKA: Context is what decides if a paladin loses class features. </blockquote><p>James Jacobs wrote:Ubercroz wrote: If a paladin uses bluff does he lose his class features?
No more so than if he uses his sword to stab something and kill it. AKA: Context is what decides if a paladin loses class features.Ubercroz2012-06-20T20:31:48ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Why Does Armor Cause Penalties to Skill Checks?Ubercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2oa7l&page=4?Why-Does-Armor-Cause-Penalties-to-Skill-Checks#1562012-06-19T23:23:35Z2012-06-19T23:21:04Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Pomkin wrote:</div><blockquote> The minuses are too extreme is common consensus, and another issue is balance. Martial classes suck enough already, why do they need more nerfs? </blockquote><p>Naw martial classes are boss. And who cares about balance. I saw people arguing realism, and when we establish that its real enough people complain about balance. I am not competing at the table, I'm having fun. I like rogues because when played right they can get out of a lot of trouble. They are not less effective than other classes, just different effective.
<p>I don't care if my fighter is less powerful than the wizard at 17th level, I had fun playing him the whole way regardless.</p>Pomkin wrote:The minuses are too extreme is common consensus, and another issue is balance. Martial classes suck enough already, why do they need more nerfs?
Naw martial classes are boss. And who cares about balance. I saw people arguing realism, and when we establish that its real enough people complain about balance. I am not competing at the table, I'm having fun. I like rogues because when played right they can get out of a lot of trouble. They are not less effective than other classes,...Ubercroz2012-06-19T23:21:04ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Why Does Armor Cause Penalties to Skill Checks?Ubercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2oa7l&page=4?Why-Does-Armor-Cause-Penalties-to-Skill-Checks#1552012-06-19T23:23:50Z2012-06-19T23:15:51Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Mistwalker wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Ubercroz wrote:</div><blockquote><p>That being said is it easier or more difficult to move quietly with armor on? Is it easier to climb a rope with armor on? Is it easier to do a combat roll with armor on?</p>
<p>I would imagine that the answer to all of these is no. You could argue that a combat roll is easier with armor on due to padding- but if thats your argument I promise you are not doing it right. </blockquote><p>Move silently in my armor, not any harder than normal.
</p>
Move silently in my buddy's plate armor, much harder.</p>
<p>Climb a rope? for most set ups, difficult as a lot of times your leg armor will not conform to the rope to help you move up or down.</p>
<p>Combat roll is easier on rough terrain - it hurts less
<br />
Combat roll on a flat surface (salle, asphalt road, etc) is a bit harder. Padding has nothing to do with it - it a a loss of flexibility in your torso.
<br />
</blockquote><p>It may not be harder to move silently with your armor on... I have a hard time believing that 100%, but sneaking (which I did not say) I think would be.
<p>You have bright shiny plates on your shoulders. You have a larger silhouette. So while you may be able to be just as quiet (though it seems like a gymn shorts, a t-shirt, and soft soled shoes would HAVE to be quieter) you would still be at a disadvantage in being undetected.</p>Mistwalker wrote:Ubercroz wrote:That being said is it easier or more difficult to move quietly with armor on? Is it easier to climb a rope with armor on? Is it easier to do a combat roll with armor on?
I would imagine that the answer to all of these is no. You could argue that a combat roll is easier with armor on due to padding- but if thats your argument I promise you are not doing it right.
Move silently in my armor, not any harder than normal.
Move silently in my buddy's plate armor,...Ubercroz2012-06-19T23:15:51ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Why Does Armor Cause Penalties to Skill Checks?Ubercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2oa7l&page=3?Why-Does-Armor-Cause-Penalties-to-Skill-Checks#1372012-06-19T23:17:12Z2012-06-19T17:37:40Z<p>I can give some personal experience also. Though I have only rarely worn mideval armor I do where modern armor very often.</p>
<p>Im in the US army and on a semiregular basis I wear full body armor for training purposes. I don't know what kinds of super advanced armor systems they had in the past, but modern armor must be very poor by comparison.</p>
<p>It is heavy, it is cumbersome, it's made by scientists who are standing on the shoulders of geniuses to create the best lightest stuff they can. I can say that doing a road march of around 10 kilometers is tiring, carrying your m-16 and water, and other gear in top of that is something you can train to do. But you will never move as well in the most advanced light-weight armor as you will in running shoes and shorts.</p>
<p>Trying to do anything with an extra 60-100 pounds on your body is hard. Your shoulders get tired, your legs and hips get tired. Its simply more difficult than running around in a t-shirt or with just a backpack.</p>I can give some personal experience also. Though I have only rarely worn mideval armor I do where modern armor very often.
Im in the US army and on a semiregular basis I wear full body armor for training purposes. I don't know what kinds of super advanced armor systems they had in the past, but modern armor must be very poor by comparison.
It is heavy, it is cumbersome, it's made by scientists who are standing on the shoulders of geniuses to create the best lightest stuff they can. I can...Ubercroz2012-06-19T17:37:40ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Exactly What Happens When You Die?Ubercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2o8eq?Exactly-What-Happens-When-You-Die#112012-06-05T23:11:23Z2012-06-05T23:06:53Z<p>I was talking with my son about this the other day. You know, some people think that you go to heaven and God tells you how bad you have been. Some people think you turn to nothing and life has no meaning. Other people think you burst into confetti. But the truth is that you go to the Astral plane that most closely aligns with your personal alignment. Then I asked my son, "what alignment are we?" And he said "we're Neutral Good dad, we're Neutral Good."</p>
<p>I almost cried</p>I was talking with my son about this the other day. You know, some people think that you go to heaven and God tells you how bad you have been. Some people think you turn to nothing and life has no meaning. Other people think you burst into confetti. But the truth is that you go to the Astral plane that most closely aligns with your personal alignment. Then I asked my son, "what alignment are we?" And he said "we're Neutral Good dad, we're Neutral Good."
I almost criedUbercroz2012-06-05T23:06:53ZRe: Forums: Advice: Our game master won't let us use defensive casting in the proper way...Ubercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2o85b?Our-game-master-wont-let-us-use-defensive#312012-06-10T17:40:21Z2012-06-05T01:50:11Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Mistwalker wrote:</div><blockquote><br />
<br />
It will speed play by people not getting out books, looking up rules and pointing out where they think the GM made an error. The GM will likely have to read the whole section, look up other areas, take time to decide who's interpretation is correct.</p>
<p>The time issue is in the real, not in game time.</p>
<p>No one has all of the rule memorized - people get things wrong, even very experienced GMs (like rolling a 1 when using UMD on a wand does not automatically mean that the wand is out of service for 24 hours; like dismissing a spell is a standard action; etc.).</p>
<p>My interpretation of what happened in the OP's game is that the GM got two rules confused. Big deal. If it is not killing your PC at the time, let it go and discuss it calmly and in a respectful manner after the game (or during a break). I don't think that the GM made up a house rule on the fly. </blockquote><p>Absolutely. I am sure that he probably got mixed up, and when inexperienced GM's get mixed up a lot of times they get defensive. Not a big deal, but the best thing to do with a GM, especially one thats new, is to bring it up respectfully. The same way that player would want the GM to address a concern the GM may have with a player or the players character.Mistwalker wrote:It will speed play by people not getting out books, looking up rules and pointing out where they think the GM made an error. The GM will likely have to read the whole section, look up other areas, take time to decide who's interpretation is correct.The time issue is in the real, not in game time.
No one has all of the rule memorized - people get things wrong, even very experienced GMs (like rolling a 1 when using UMD on a wand does not automatically mean that the wand is out...Ubercroz2012-06-05T01:50:11ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: PFS or "Plusfinder RPG"Ubercrozhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2o802?PFS-or-Plusfinder-RPG#102012-06-05T02:37:01Z2012-06-03T23:57:37Z<p>I am a big fan of GM's not allowing laptops at the table, I don't allow laptops at the table. It slows down the game and becomes a rules lawyer fight.</p>
<p>At my home game I rule that unless I am somehow ignoring a rule that will cause a villain to live or a player to die we can discuss it after the encounter. </p>
<p>It's too easy to get bogged down in minutiae otherwise. I don't know how much flexibility PFS Judges have, but I believe they can say no laptops if nothing else.</p>I am a big fan of GM's not allowing laptops at the table, I don't allow laptops at the table. It slows down the game and becomes a rules lawyer fight.
At my home game I rule that unless I am somehow ignoring a rule that will cause a villain to live or a player to die we can discuss it after the encounter.
It's too easy to get bogged down in minutiae otherwise. I don't know how much flexibility PFS Judges have, but I believe they can say no laptops if nothing else.Ubercroz2012-06-03T23:57:37Z